Eurasian Blue Tit
Cyanistes caeruleus
Blue Tits are famous for their intelligence; they once learned how to peck through the foil caps of milk bottles delivered to doorsteps to drink the cream.
- Scientific name
- Cyanistes caeruleus
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Aves › Passeriformes › Paridae › Cyanistes
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- increasing
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Deciduous and mixed woodlands, orchards, parks, and suburban gardens.
- Diet
- Mainly insects and spiders during summer; seeds, nuts, and berries in winter.
- Range
- Europe, Western Asia, North Africa
- Size
- 11-12 cm length, 18-20 cm wingspan
- Lifespan
- 3 years average
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Habitat fragmentation, pesticide use reducing food sources, and predation by domestic cats.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless and pleasant to observe. Maintain a respectful distance from nesting boxes. If found in your garden, they are safe to watch; if you find a fledgling on the ground, leave it be as parents are likely nearby. If an adult is injured, contact a local wildlife rehabilitator.
The Eurasian blue tit ( Cyanistes caeruleus ) is a small passerine bird in the tit family Paridae. It is easily recognisable by its blue and yellow plumage and small size.
Photo: Bengt Nyman, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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